Chemotherapy Treatment Uses and Side Effects
What is Chemotherapy and its Uses
Chemotherapy
is a type of cancer treatment that involves use of medications. For
cancer patients, this is a non-invasive treatment modality. The
medications are usually administered via the veins. However, certain
medications are taken orally. Drugs are sometimes injected directly into the
abdominal cavity, pleural cavity (chest), or urinary bladder.
According to
a renowned radiation oncologist in Kolkata, chemotherapy is frequently
used in conjunction with other treatments, including surgery, radiation,
and hormone therapy. The use of combination therapy is determined by the
following factors:
·
Your
general health
·
Past
cancer therapies
·
The
type and stage of cancer you have
·
Location
of cancerous cells
Chemotherapy
drugs can stop cancer cells from growing and dividing. The chemo process also
affects the body's regular dividing/multiplying cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets,
hair growth, nails, and stomach and intestine mucosa.
Why It is Used
Chemotherapy
for cancer treatment
helps in
·
Reducing
the possibility of cancer metastasis
·
Lowering
the count of overall cancerous cells
·
Shrinking
the tumour size
·
Lessening
cancer symptoms
Your
oncologist may recommend chemotherapy after you've had surgery to remove a
cancerous tumour, such as a lumpectomy for breast cancer, to ensure that any
remaining cancer cells are eliminated as well.
Chemotherapy
might also be used to help you prepare for other procedures. It could be used
to shrink a tumour so that it can be physically removed, or it could be used to
help you prepare for radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
may help alleviate pain in late-stage cancer patients.
Chemotherapy
can be used to prepare individuals with bone marrow problems for a bone marrow
stem cell treatment, and it can also be used to treat immune system
abnormalities.
What are Its Side Effects
Chemotherapy
is used to kill rapidly dividing cells. While cancer cells divide rapidly,
other cells in your body do as well. Chemotherapy has the potential to harm
cells in the following areas:
·
The
lining of your intestinal tract
·
Blood
·
Hair
·
Skin
Side
effects caused by chemotherapy
treatment include:
·
Excessive
bleeding and quick bruising
·
Mouth
sores, diarrhoea, and dry mouth
·
Decrease
in appetite
·
Nausea
·
Vomiting
·
Loss
of weight
·
Pain
caused by nerve damage
·
Infections
·
Anaemia
·
Constipation
·
Neuropathy
·
Lymphedema
·
Issues
with memory
·
Difficulties
with concentrating
·
alterations
in the skin
·
alterations
to the nails
·
Insomnia
·
Changes
in fertility

Comments
Post a Comment